Department of Pathology
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/23059
2024-03-28T21:38:46ZBlood C‐peptide concentration as a proxy marker of cardiovascular disease: An observational cross‐sectional study
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/40389
Blood C‐peptide concentration as a proxy marker of cardiovascular disease: An observational cross‐sectional study
Adusu‐Donkor, L.; Ofori, E.K.; Kotey, F.C.N.; et al.
Background and Aims: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes
of disability and early death in sub‐Saharan Africa. Most of the current blood tests
for CVD diagnosis involve performing about three test profiles; often at additional
cost to patients. C‐peptide, a cleavage product of proinsulin, is a promising marker
that has the potential to serve as a proxy marker for diagnosing CVDs in resource‐
poor settings.
Methodology: The study was an observational cross‐sectional one and involved
127 consenting persons diagnosed with CVD and 127 individuals without CVD.
The socio‐demographic and clinical characteristics of participants were obtained.
Blood levels of C‐peptide, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total creatinine kinase
(CK), creatine kinase myocardial bound (CKMB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),
propeptide of brain natriuretic peptide (PBNP), Troponin T, lipids, and biomarkers
of kidney and liver function were analyzed using ELISA and an automated analyzer.
Insulin resistance was computed using the modified homeostatic model assess ment (HOMA‐IR).
Results: The CVD Group had significantly higher levels of C‐peptide, CK, CKMB,
troponin T, PBNP, FPG, HOMA‐IR, and several selected kidney, liver, and lipid
parameters compared to the non‐CVD Group (p < 0.05 for all). Troponin T recorded
a positive correlation (r = 0.34, p < 0.001) with C‐peptide among the CVD Group.
The sensitivity and specificity of C‐peptide in identifying CVD were 96.1% and
91.3% respectively (area under the curve = 0.938, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: C‐peptide levels were higher in the CVD Group and appeared to be a
valuable (high sensitivity and specificity) biomarker in detecting CVD.
Research Article
2023-01-01T00:00:00ZEffectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) in Ghana
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/37105
Effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) in Ghana
Dosoo, D.K.; Malm, K.; Oppong, F.B.; Gyasi, R.; Oduro, A.; Williams, J.; Atibilla, D.; Peprah, N.Y.; Twumasi, M.; Owusu-Agyei, S.; Greenwood, B.; Chandramohan, D.; Asante, K.P.
Introduction Ghana adopted the revised WHO
recommendation on intermittent preventive treatment in
pregnancy using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine
(IPTp-SP)
in
2012. This study has assessed the effectiveness and safety
of this policy in Ghana.
Methods A total of 1926 pregnant women enrolled
at antenatal care (ANC) clinics were assessed for birth
outcomes at delivery, and placental histology results for
malaria infection were obtained from 1642 participants.
Association of reduced placental or peripheral malaria,
anaemia and low birth weight (LBW) in women who
received ≥4 IPTp-SP
doses compared with 3 or ≤2 doses
was determined by logistic regression analysis.
Results Among the 1926 participants, 5.3% (103),
19.2% (369), 33.2% (640) and 42.3% (817) of women had
received ≤1, 2, 3 or ≥4 doses, respectively. There was no
difference in risk of active placental malaria (PM) infection
in women who received 3 doses compared with ≥4 doses
(adjusted OR (aOR) 1.00, 95% CI 0.47 to 2.14). The risk
of overall PM infection was 1.63 (95% CI 1.07 to 2.48) in
2 dose group and 1.06 (95% CI 0.72 to 1.57) in 3 dose
group compared with ≥4 dose group. The risk of LBW
was 1.55 (95% CI 0.97 to 2.47) and 1.06 (95% CI 0.68
to 1.65) for 2 and 3 dose groups, respectively, compared
with the ≥4 dose group. Jaundice in babies was present in
0.16%, and 0% for women who received ≥4 doses of SP.
Conclusion There was no difference in the risk of PM,
LBW or maternal anaemia among women receiving 3
doses compared with ≥4 doses. Receiving ≥3 IPTp-SP
doses during pregnancy was associated with a lower risk
of overall PM infection compared with 2 doses. As there
are no safety concerns, monthly administration of IPTp-SP
offers a more practical opportunity for pregnant women to
receive ≥3 doses during pregnancy.
Research Article
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZSubcutaneous basidiobolomycosis: A Case Report
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/33630
Subcutaneous basidiobolomycosis: A Case Report
Sackey, A.; Ghartey, N.; Gyasi, R.
Basidiobolomycosis is an uncommon chronic deep fungal infection in which gradually enlarging granulomas form,
usually in the subcutaneous fat tissues of the limbs, chest or trunk of immunocompetent hosts, primarily children
and young adults. It is caused by the fungus Basidiobolus ranarum. Definitive diagnosis is by microscopy and histopathology.
Effective treatments include ketoconazole, itraconazole, potassium iodide and co-trimoxazole.
A 3 year old girl presented with ulcerations on the right thigh for one month, and painful swelling of the right leg
and right buttock for six months. The right lower limb and vulva were swollen, tender and hard with hyperpigmentation
and inguinal lymphadenopathy.
She had severe anaemia, eosinophilia and negative serology for HIV I and II. Histopathological examination showed
a dermal chronic granulomatous infiltrate with fungal hyphae and yeast forms suggestive of Basidiobolus ranarum.
There was marked reduction in right leg size and inguinal lymphadenopathy after several weeks of oral itraconazole,
and complete healing of ulcers after 10 weeks.
The purpose of this report is to increase awareness of this disfiguring condition which is treatable but, if not correctly
diagnosed, could result in inappropriate interventions such as amputation and anti-coagulant therapy.
Journal Article
2017-03-01T00:00:00ZPrevalence of antibodies to human T-Iymphotropic virus type I among blood donors in Accra, Ghana
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/32972
Prevalence of antibodies to human T-Iymphotropic virus type I among blood donors in Accra, Ghana
Adjei, A.A.; Adiku, T.K.; Ayeh-Kumi, P.F.; Armah, H.; Ansah, J.; Hesse, I.F.A.
Several infectious diseases have been found to be
associated with transfusion of blood or blood
components. Reports from studies conducted in
many African countries indicate high incidence of
blood-borne pathogens such as human Tlympholropic
virus type-I ( HTLV- I) infections
among healthy blood donors. The prevalence of
HTLV- I antibodies in blood donors in Ghana is
not well documented. This study was therefore
conducted to determine the prevalence of HTL V- I
antibodies among blood donors seen between the
months of June and July 2001 at the National
Blood Transfusion Service. Accra Area Centre
(Blood Bank) at the Korle Du Teaching Hospital,
Accra, Ghana. The presence of antibodies specific
for HTLV-I was tested using particle agglutination
test kit. of the 265 sera tested . 220 (83%) were
males and 45 (17%) were females. A seroprevalence
rate of 4.2% (11/265) was found. The
prevalence rate of antibody to HTL V·I was significantly
(P<O.05) higher in female (8.9%; 4/45 )
than male (3.2%; 71220) blood donors. In both
sexes, the age distribution of subjects positive for
HTLV-1 antibodies was from 35 to 54 years. In
conclusion, our results indicate that HTLV-1 is
prevalent among healthy blood donors in Ghana;
and that there is the need to introduce screening of
donated blood for HTLV-1 in Ghana.
Journal Article
2003-09-01T00:00:00Z